Collapsible pallets



Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN 2,925,947

COLLAPSIBLE PAL-LETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 19, 1957 Feb. 23, 1960D. c. BROWN COLLAPSIBLE PALLETS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19, 1957 INVENTOR Dwighf C. Brown BY ATTORNEY Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN 2,925,947

COLLAPSIBLE PALLETS Filed sept. 19, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORDwight C. Brown BY WM BM i Feb. 23, 1960 D. c. BROWN COLLAPSIBLE PALLETS4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 19, 1957 INVENTOR Dwight C. Brown ATTORNEYUnited States This invention described herein may be manufactured andused by or for the Government of the United tent O States forgovernmental purposes without the payment tome of any royalty thereon inaccordance with the provisions of Title 35, United States Code, section266.

This invention relates to folding or collapsible type pallets for use inshipping equipment and supply items and isdesigned to provide forunitized handling by the use of fork lift and pallet lift trucks inshipping and storage operations. The invention has specific reference topallets madechiefly of paperboard material of the expendable or disposaltype used for initial shipment, distribution and storage, and reusewhere desired, for transporting, handling and storage materials in unitloads.

Because of its economical cost as compared with conventional rigid typewood and metal pallets, the collapsible paperboard type of pallet asembodied in this invention may be expanded after final distribution orconsumption of the materials stored and shipped thereon.

While all the modifications are suitably adapted to fabrication frompaperboard material, they can also be fabricated either wholly or inpart from metal, plywood, veneer and laminated material having a woodveneer core with paper or paperboard on one or both sides.

The term paperboard as used herein refers to and includes corrugatedboard, fibreboard and other paper and fibrous products that are capableof supporting relatively medium and heavy weight loads. The paperboardmaterials may be treated Wholly or in part with resins, in organicsilicates, glues, synthetic rubber compounds, insecticides, corrosioninhibitors, moisture proofing materials, plastics and similar typematerials for stiffening and strengthening.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an inexpensive lightweight pallet with novel folding and collapsible features providingquick and easy means of setting up the pallet for use from a knock-downposition and collapsing to a substantially flat form for return shipmentor storage for reuse, if so desired.

Another object is to provide a folding or collapsible type pallet withsupport components or units so arranged and constructed as to eliminatethe need for the conventional flat pallet deck member generally used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding collapsibletype pallet with a take it or leave it feature enabling a fork lifttruck to lift and remove the entirecontents of the loaded pallet fromthe pallet itself by inserting multiple forks under the loaded contentsin spaces provided within the support member cells.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible boxlike pallet pack container having built in folding or collapsiblesupport members.

This invention relates to modified forms of that shown in my applicationSerial Number 586,889, filed May 23, 1956.

Referring to the drawings for a more complete disclosure of theinvention:

1 and folding the fork entry passageway portions 12, 13, 14,

2,925,947 Patented Feb. 23, 1960 Figure 1 is a top side perspective viewof one form of the invention in a set up position;

Figure 2 is a top side perspective view of the form shown in Figure 1 innearly collapsed or folded position;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top detailed perspective view of the cellularconstruction of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a top side perspective view showing use of the form shown inFigure 1 inside a collapsible sleeve;

Figure 5 is a top side perspective view of the form shown in Figure lequipped with a two pice folding deck;

Figure 6 is a top side perspective view of a folding or collapsible boxlike container having built in folding or collapsible support members ofthe form shown in Figurel;

Figure 7 is an underside perspective view of a folding or collapsiblebox like container similar to Figure 6 having modified cell structuresupport members;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the form shown in Figure 5 in a nearlycollapsed or folded position;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the form shown in Figure 6 in nearlycollapsed or folded position.

Referring to Figure 1, the pallet or supporting unit A is constructedwith side strips 1, 2, 3, and 4 which are pivotally connected at each oftheir ends. Parallel with the side strips are a plurality ofintersecting partitions 5 and 6. The partitions 5 are pivotallyconnected at each of their ends to the side strips 1 and 3. Thepartitions 6 are pivotally connected at each of their ends to the sidestrips 2 and 4. The partitions 5 and 6 are pivotally connected with eachother at their inter sections, by means of interengaging slots 11a oneach partition. Y

This arrangement provides a cellular structure, which when in set-upposition has support member 'cells spread over the entire pallet area,the top edges of the vertical cellular support members comprising theloading surface.

In order to provide passageways 7 and 8 on one side and 9 and 10 on theother side for lifting forks, portions of the side strips 1, 2, 3, and 4and intersecting partitions 5 and 6 are scored, as at 11, so that aportion 12 of a partition 5 can be turned down into a horizontalposition. Similarly a portion 13 of the side strips 2 and 4 are turneddown into a horizontal position in the'same direction. By thus turningdown into a horizontal position portions of the vertical cell supportstrips in two or more cell rows, and in tight engagement with the sidesof the partition, the set up position of the pallet is made secure andprovision is made for the entry of the lifting forks. By similarlyturning in the same direction, the portions 14 and 15 of the sides 1 and3 and partitions 6 in two or more cell rows, provision is made for theentry of lifting forks.

In using the passageways 7 and 8, the load is lifted off of the palletand in using the passageways 9 and 10 the pallet with the load islifted. When the portions 12, 13, 14, and 15 are in the down turnedposition of Figures 1 and 3, they fit sufiiciently tight against thesides of the respective partitions to give stability to the pallet whenin the extended position of Figures 1 and 3 and hold it firmly in openposition. When it is desired to convert the pallet to knock down orfolded position of Figure 2, the reverse procedure is followed i.e. theportions 12, 13, 14, and 15 are returned to their vertical position. Thepallet then can be collapsed into the folded position of Figure 2, thepartitions and sides turning on their pivotal connections. In the foldedor collapsed form the pallet is ready for return shipment or storage forlater reuse.

Set up of the pallet from the folded position of Figure 2 isaccomplished by pulling the sides out accordion fashion and to ahorizontal position, thus securing the pallet in proper rectangularshape for loading and use.

Referring to Figure 4, a reversible double deck pallet B is provided "byusing a collapsible sleeve that has a deck 16 on one side and a deck 17on the other side, the decks being connected by the side portions 18'and 19. The sleeve of the pallet B is open at both ends 20 and 21 sothat the pallet A can be slipped in between the decks 16 and 17. Thedecks 16 and 17 and side portions 18 and 19 are pivotally connected toeach other so that when not in use they can be folded flat. The twocomponents can be furnished separately or attached together .as a unit.When furnished as a unit the cellular member A is fastened at one end tothe inside end of the sleeve.

Referring to Figure 5, a pallet C is provided that is equipped with afolding deck in two cover pieces 3-7 and 38 which are hinged along theirlongitudinal edges to the supporting uIiit A, Figure 1. When set up foruse, the

two piece folding deck attachment provides a flat loading surface.

Referring to Figure 8, the pallet C. Figure 5 is shown in nearlycomplete folded flat position in which the supporting unitA is folded asin Figure 2 and the cover pieces 37 and 38 are folded flat against thesides 2 and 4 of the supporting unit A.

Referring to Figure 6, there is provided a pallet pack D in which thereis combined with the folding unit support A, a container '17. The sides18, 19, 20, and 21 are extensions respectively of the sides 1, 4, 3, and2 of the unit A, Figure l. The passageways 33, 34, 35, and 36 for thefork lifts are respectively comparable to the passageways 9, 10, 7, and8 of the supporting unit A, Figure l. The cellular supporting structurebetween the sides of the container 17 is the same cellular constructionas that between the sides of the supporting unit A, Figure l. Pivotallysecured to the sides 19 and 2 1 of the container 17 are the two bottompieces 22 and 23 which when set up for use lie fiat upon the top of thecellular structure. The cover pieces 24, 25, 2.6, and 27 are pivotedrespectively to the sides 18, 19, 20, and 21 and are shown in openposition, Figure 6. They can be folded over to close the top of thereceptacle. The bottom and the top cover may consist of one or morefolding pieces depending on the floor and closure requirements and theparticular shape and dimentions of the box like structure.

Referring to Figure 7, this is a modification of the foldingconstruction of Figure 6 insofar as the cellular supporting unit isconcerned. Instead of a single-sup porting unit as shown in Figure 6,there are three continuous rows of separated cells 28, 29, and 30 toprovide passageways 31 and 32 for the fork lifts. This modification isparticularly adapt-able for use with conventional fork lift truckshaving wide forks andpallet lift trucks having forks with wheelattachments. By this support construction, the width of the fork entrypassageways can be controlled by the desired spacing between the rows ofcells and not limited by the space width between parallel partitions ofthe cellular structure. The construction and mode of operation isotherwise the same as in Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 9, the pallet pack D, Figure 6 is shown in nearlycomplete flat folded position in which the cellular supporting'unit A isfoldable as in Figure 2 to a final flat folded position. The coverpieces'24, 25', 26, and 2 7 are folded downwardly and inwardly flatagainst the inner side of the walls 18, 19, 20, and 21 .respectively ofthe sides of the container 17. The bottom piece 22 is folded upwardlyand flat against the folded in cover piece 25 and side wall 19 and thebottom piece 23 is folded upwardly and flat against folded in coverpiece 27 and side wall 21. In its final folded or collapsed position theassemblage is substantially fiat, with the cover pieces and the bottompieces in substantially parallel position between. the sides of thecontainer. The container of Figure 7 is folded in the same manner asthat of 4 Figure 6. In setting up the pallet pack for use, are unfoldedin the reverse order.

I claim:

1. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangularreceptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to eachother at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured attheir ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected toeach other at their intersections, the unit having an open supportingposition and collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsedfolded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantiallyparallel planes with the other two sides with the pantitions interposedbetween the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of thesides and partitions being vertical in open supporting position of theunit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supportingposition to collapsed folded position, a portion of the partitions inopen supporting position being foldable into a horizontal position toprovide transverse parallel passageways for a forklift.

2. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangularreceptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to eachother at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured attheir ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected toeach other at their intersections, the unit having an open supportingposition and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsedfolded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantiallyparallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposedbetween the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of thesides and partitions bei g vertical in open supporting position of theunit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supportingposition to collapsed folded position, a portion of the partitions inopen supporting position being foldable into a horizontal position andin tight engagement with thesides of the partition to maintain the unitin open supporting position.

3. The collapsible unit of claim 2 in which there are two sets ofpassageways, one being open at the top of the unit and the other beingopen .at the bottom of the unit.

4. The collapsible unit of claim- 3 in which the sets of passageways arelocated transversely of each other.

5. A collapsible integratedsupporting unit in the form of a rectangularreceptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to eachother at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured attheir ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected toeach other at their intersections, the uni-t having .an open sup portingposition and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsedfolded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantiallyparallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposedbetween the sides and substantially paralleltherewith, the plane of thesides and partitions being vertically in open supporting position of theunit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supportingposition to collapsed folded position, two sets of passageways for afork lift located transversely of each other within the unit, one at thetop of the unit and theother at the bottom of the unit, the unit beinginserted in a sleeve that covers both the top and bottom of the unittoprovide a reversible double deck pallet.

6. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangularreceptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to eachother at their ends, interconnected partitions pivotally secured attheir ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected toeach other at their intersections, the unit having an open supportingposition and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsedfolded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantiallyparallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposedbetween; the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane ofthe sides the parts and pantitions being vertical in open supportingposition of the unit when in use, the unit being collapsible from theopen supporting position to collapsed folded position, two sets ofpassageways for a fork lift located transversely of each other withinthe unit, one at the top of the unit and the other at the bottom of theunit a cover pivotally connected to the top side of the unit, the coverin open supporting position overlying partitions and in folded collapsedposition overlying and parallel with the side to which it is pivotallyattached.

7. A portable materials handling pallet for use in lift truck operationsand adapted to support a load on its upper surface comprising acollapsible integrated sup porting unit in the form of a rectangularreceptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to eachother at their ends, interconnected partition walls pivotally secured attheir ends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected toeach other at their intersections, the unit having an open supportingposition for a load and a collapsed folded position, the unit when incollapsed folded position having two sides of the receptacle insubstantially parallel planes with the other two sides with thepartition walls interposed between the sides and substantially paralleltherewith, the plane of the sides and the walls being vertical in opensupporting position of the unit when in use to provide a series ofcells, the top edges of the walls forming a support for the overlyingload, the unit being collapsible from the open supporting position tocollapsed folded position, the sides of the retangular receptacleextending above the partition walls to provide a container, the sides ofthe co tainer being pivotally connected to each other, the containerwhen in collapsed folded position having two sides of the container insubstantially parallel planes with the other two sides.

8. The container of claim 7 in which the container is provided with acover pivotally connected with a side of the container, the cover whenthe container is in collapsed position lying flat against an inner wallof the container.

9. The container of claim 7 in which the container is provided with abottom pivotally connected with a side of the container, the botto whenthe container is in collapsed position lying flat against an inner wallof the container.

10. The container of the claim 7 in which there are a plurality ofseparated collapsible integrated units, the collapsible units beingspaced apart to provide passageways for handling by fork lift.

11. A combination s 'pping pallet and container comprising a bottom forthe container in the form of a rectanguiar receptacle, interconnectedpartition walls within the sides of the receptacle, the plane of thesides and walls being vertical in open supporting position, the topedges of the walls forming a support for an overlying load, the bottomhaving an open supporting position and a collapsed folded position, thesides of the container being an extension of the sides of the receptacleand pivotally connected with each other, the container when in collapsedfolded position having two sides of the container in substantiallyparallel planes with the other two sides, and two sides of therectangular receptacle in substantially parallel planes with the othertwo sides.

12. A portable materials handling pallet for use in lift truckoperations and adapted to support a load on its upper surface comprisinga collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of a rectangularreceptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle being pivoted to eachother at their ends, interconnected partition walls pivotally connectedto each other at their intersections, the unit having an open supporingposition for a load and a collapsed folded position, the plane of thewalls being vertical in open supporting position, the top edges of thewalls forming a support for an overlying load, the unit when incollapsed fiat folded position having the walls substantially parallelwith each other and each side overlying one connected adjacent side andin a substantially straight line with the other adjacent connect side,the length of the unit in flat folded position being substantially thecombined length of the aforesaid adjacent sides and a passageway for afork lift located within the unit.

13. The collapsible unit of claim 12 in which there are two sets ofpassageways for a fork lift, one being open at the top of the unit andthe other being open at the bottom of the unit.

14. The collapsible unit of claim 13 in which the sets of passagewaysare located transversely of each other.

15. A collapsible integrated supporting unit in the form of arectangular receptacle, the adjacent sides of the receptacle beingpivoted to each other at connected partitions pivotally secured at theirends to the sides of the receptacle and pivotally connected to eachother at their intersec 'ons, the unit having an open supportingposition and a collapsed folded position, the unit when in collapsedfolded position having two sides of the receptacle in substantiallyparallel planes with the other two sides with the partitions interposedbetween the sides and substantially parallel therewith, the plane of thesides and partitions being vertical in open supporting position of theunit when in use, the unit being collapsible from the open supportingposition to collapsed folded position, two sets of passageways for afork lift located within the unit, one being open at the top of the unitand the other being open at the bottom of the unit.

16. The collapsible unit of claim 15 in which the sets of passagewaysare located transversely of each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,072,185 Smiley Sept. 2, 1913 1,795,942 Flagstad Mar. 10, 19312,611,569 Coleman et a1. Sept. 23, 1952 their ends, inter-

